"How are the two rejected candidates supposed to feel after the broadcast?"

Donor Lisa, 37, agreed to participate in the reality program after failing to find a suitable recipient of her organs.

Despite worldwide outrage over what many are calling a sick grab for ratings, broadcaster BNN says the program will highlight the country's shortage of organ donors.

"The contestants in the show have a 33 per cent chance. That's a much larger chance than if they were on the organ waiting list," said network chairman Laurens Drillich.

"We think that is disastrous, so we are acting in a shocking way to bring attention to this problem."

The program is produced by Endemol, the makers of controversial program Big Brother.

Dutch politicians are threatening to force the network to drop the donor show before it airs on Friday.

"The scenario portrayed in this programme is ethically totally unacceptable," said Professor John Feehally, former president of the UK's Renal Association.

"The show will not further understanding of transplants "¦ Instead it will cause confusion and anxiety."

Paul Beerkens, director of Holland's Kidney Institute, said it is "fantastic" that the program would draw attention to the country's donor shortage problem, but expressed concern over its sensational context.

"But the way in which they're doing this is definitely not our choice," he told Dutch news agency ANP. "This is not a structural solution."